COMMUNITY + CONSERVATION + CONNECTION!
For Paddlers, By Paddlers!
Dear Diary,Hi, I’m Paddy! I haven’t written to you in a long time – not since my last diary got flung overboard by accident on my outrigger race to Catalina Island.
I hope you don’t meet the same fate! I like to think my old diary is relaxing with my old sunglasses and hats that were also sacrificed to the sea. Maybe some fish are reading my old entries and making grand tales of my adventures.
Anyway, I’m in the middle of another racing season and it has been amazing! Except a couple things...
Ok, I have to admit, Dragon boat was not something I had experienced in any capacity, including watching, before a recent weekend...let alone having even paddled it. But within the last week or so, I have become a huge fan. Yes the races are shorter than I am used to. Yes you only paddle on one side. Yes it's kinda rad! I attended the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium, and had several observations beyond the typical stereotypes I had before.
It is with great pride and honor that I sit here, humbled that Cali Paddler has the opportunity to make our first contribution to the three non-profit organizations we support. It's so rewarding, and so exciting, that within just a few months we are able to start giving back to the community. If you're reading this, please take a second to recognize that you contributed to making this possible.
To everyone who is a novice outrigger paddler...you have no doubt received countless months of attention from coaches and thoughtful open paddlers. You have broken down paddling barriers you previously thought impossible ("you want me to paddle HOW far?"). You have pushed your limits and done so for your teammates, your team, and yourself. You have become a paddler!
So, as your novice season gets close to completion, my advice is simple.
The following submission was made as an entry to win a OC1 from an amazingly generous donor, who wanted to see the canoe truly enjoyed, rather than turn a profit. Entrants were asked to submit an essay answering the following:
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Justice Martin, California
Paddling makes me happy because I’m with family and friends. Paddling also makes me happy because I learn different positions in the canoe. Such as steering calling when to switch sides, engine room, and the person who sets the pace. My favorite position is called steering because I’m multi-tasking. My second favorite position is calling when to switch because it helps me with my cardio. My third favorite is engine room because I learn to put in power.
I have a lot of paddling experience in paddling because I paddled for 7 years it’s the awesome coaches that taught me everything I know about paddling. Paddling is the best sport in the world.
The water changes me because it makes me calmer and it clears my mind.
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I have the secret…and I am going to share it.
In the past, I had the privilege of coaching outrigger canoe, and one of my favorite drills would be introduced pretty early. I have also found it to be a drill that has worked for my own paddling. It is THE most effective drill for any type of paddling, and I would stake my reputation on it.
